As you learn various fretboard patterns, you'll often get a feel of exactly where to go because bassists (at least for popular music) tend to use those same patterns. Thus, once you find your starting note, you can make quick, educated guesses about where to go next. It drastically speeds up the process. I learned a U2 song super quickly today because I could hear from the intervals that the bass line used a pattern that's familiar to me. I was able to jump in and play it pretty accurately right away, just from using the patterns.
Even after playing 40 years, I keep going back to the basics to better serve the song, and react to the vocals. Not showing off .Duck Dunn was a master.
I'm autistic. I can't read or understand written music. I've realised that I naturally play music by ear and can play a simple single finger riff within about 5-20 minutes just by hearing it, i.e Peter Gunn theme. Not sure how much of a talent that is in music, but I've always felt that is more suited to bass. I'm inspired to pick up a guitar again!
Sounds like you have already have this vital skill that Luke is talking about here. In any case, you are in a good position to begin enhancing this skill along the lines he lays out. And guitar again - why not? Wishing you all the best!
Thanks! Playing the bass by ear is the most challenging skill for me. Yes, being able to replicate the melody in one's voice is the perfect (only?) way to begin the process. Thanks!
Hi, Luke. I had just started playing the bass guitar exactly a month ago. I just previously just saw one of your other videos " How To Strength Your Pinky" that really did help. I will be sure to start doing that exercise. I just thought I give you my thoughts on this. I never thought about playing the bass guitar before. I started playing for the church as part of the choir. I got to tell you that I was nervous and still am because I don't know anything about the bass guitar. I am learning, and I do want to get know my new friend, the bass guitar.
ear player here since many yrs on electric guitars the only thing i want to say to u bro is that u r TOTALLY CORRECT!!!!!!!!! same for guitars! and also ear playing hasnt music limits! u can play whatever u want!
Brilliant exercise Luke. I've just done it to the lyrics of Pink Floyd's Wall song '' We don't need no education, we don't need no thought control '' and guess what ?? It sounds really good. Thanks !!!
That's amazing @Happy Harry! Great work for immediately applying what you learn - that's exactly how to get really good really quickly. Awesome effort - keep at it!
I can ONLY play by ear and alot of people say I'm not bad. But the time has come to learn scales and behold ,i have been playing scales major and minor...lmao
Haha! It's a super common story with people who learned to play by ear - myself included. We've been playing all these things that people talk about all the time; we just didn't have a name for any of it.
Hey from Dublin. Yet another super video. Learning by ear is something I’ve always struggled with. In my covers band we play each song a half step down to suit the vocals etc. That was perfect for gigging but then when I was learning new songs and listening for notes I was somewhat schewed as most songs are recorded in standard tuning. I’ve somewhat rectified that but your Vid will be a great help so thanks mate 🎸
That’s how I’ve been learning to play bass . I’ve been a singer my entire life . I dabble a bit on guitar but bass came a lot easier for me . I’m still learning of coarse but in under 4 months I’m playing songs already . Lol
Good question @Ash Humber. If you're talking about medical tone deafness (amusia) there's not a lot you can do. Most people who actually have medical tone deafness don't enjoy music - it's just perceived as 'noise', so if you're into music, you probably aren't tone deaf. If you know that everything you're singing is flat, then you also aren't tone deaf because you can tell it's flat. And if that's the case, you can consciously work towards slightly raising the pitches you're singing. There are a ton of good resources for this on RUclips - even some that specifically deal with singing flat. Have a search around and see what you can find.
@@BecomeABassist hi i think i am singing perfectly ok. Its other people that say im flat. I tried playing Happy Birthday and it worked. I can hear when its in tune or flat. I just cant replicate it humming or singing it. I will keep practicing. Thanks.
Interesting but not really useful in playing bass by ear since bass is usually much lower. And transcribing by ear in the lower register is way more difficult (at least for me).
You're absolutely right @Pat Bass - it IS harder to hear notes in the lower register. But I 100% disagree that doing the steps in this video won't be useful. Learn to match pitch in the higher register and then slowly bring them down until the low notes jump out at you. If you don't work on matching pitch with the higher notes first, there's very little chance you'll be able to do it with the lower notes. The bonus video is all about this exact process. You can check it out here: becomeabassist.com/play-bass-by-ear-how-to-get-started
As you learn various fretboard patterns, you'll often get a feel of exactly where to go because bassists (at least for popular music) tend to use those same patterns. Thus, once you find your starting note, you can make quick, educated guesses about where to go next. It drastically speeds up the process.
I learned a U2 song super quickly today because I could hear from the intervals that the bass line used a pattern that's familiar to me. I was able to jump in and play it pretty accurately right away, just from using the patterns.
Even after playing 40 years, I keep going back to the basics to better serve the song, and react to the vocals. Not showing off .Duck Dunn was a master.
Your lessons are incredibly helpful. Thank you.
Thanks so much @Grizelda - Really appreciate it.
Thank you Luke, I decided in this very days to start training my ear. Your precious suggestions arrived just at the right moment!
That's awesome @luigi graziano! Glad I could help!
I'm autistic. I can't read or understand written music.
I've realised that I naturally play music by ear and can play a simple single finger riff within about 5-20 minutes just by hearing it, i.e Peter Gunn theme.
Not sure how much of a talent that is in music, but I've always felt that is more suited to bass.
I'm inspired to pick up a guitar again!
Sounds like you have already have this vital skill that Luke is talking about here. In any case, you are in a good position to begin enhancing this skill along the lines he lays out. And guitar again - why not? Wishing you all the best!
My first time playing by ear I already know the concept behind it. Your vids are truly amazing!
Awesome @*TyGaming* - Let us all know how you get on with it
@@BecomeABassist ok no problem
Thanks, Luke! You’re the best bass instructor in the RUclips universe. I always enjoy your video lessons.
You're too kind @Cary Heuchert - thanks so much for watching.
Thanks! Playing the bass by ear is the most challenging skill for me. Yes, being able to replicate the melody in one's voice is the perfect (only?) way to begin the process. Thanks!
I want to play my friend's favourite song, and since there are no tabs nor sheets for it, this is a lifesaver! Thank you so much!
Awesome! Let us all know how you go!
Best advice with all instruments "if you can hum it you can play it" thanks great vid👍🍀
2:07 - when someone pauses the music while I’m singing
Hi, Luke. I had just started playing the bass guitar exactly a month ago. I just previously just saw one of your other videos " How To Strength Your Pinky" that really did help. I will be sure to start doing that exercise. I just thought I give you my thoughts on this. I never thought about playing the bass guitar before. I started playing for the church as part of the choir. I got to tell you that I was nervous and still am because I don't know anything about the bass guitar. I am learning, and I do want to get know my new friend, the bass guitar.
This is fabulous and I'm stoked; you boiled it down to simple building blocks that are practical, and straightforward! Thank you.
Fantastic video. Thank you for making this so easy to understand.
no way my voice can go that low yet ;;
but thank you for the lesson!!
Great lesson, I'm a beginner & really helped. Something about you reminds me of chuck Norris! 😂
It must be my rad martial arts skills...
Fantastic, such a simple idea but works so well. Thank you
Stupidly obvious, immensely helpful. Kudos!
ear player here since many yrs on electric guitars the only thing i want to say to u bro is that u r TOTALLY CORRECT!!!!!!!!! same for guitars! and also ear playing hasnt music limits! u can play whatever u want!
i’m purchasing a bass soon, and i’m binging all your videos lol thank you for making them!!! :)
Brilliant exercise Luke. I've just done it to the lyrics of Pink Floyd's Wall song '' We don't need no education, we don't need no thought control '' and guess what ?? It sounds really good. Thanks !!!
That's amazing @Happy Harry! Great work for immediately applying what you learn - that's exactly how to get really good really quickly. Awesome effort - keep at it!
Practical and to the point 👍. Love your videos
Awesome @Zainab Saad - that's exactly what I try to make every video!
Glad to have found your channel today
Finally a real video for beginner
Brilliant lesson, Luke! And such an important skill. Your lessons are excellent, thanks.
Happy to hear you enjoyed it @Paul Pulati - cheers heaps!
I can ONLY play by ear and alot of people say I'm not bad. But the time has come to learn scales and behold ,i have been playing scales major and minor...lmao
Haha! It's a super common story with people who learned to play by ear - myself included. We've been playing all these things that people talk about all the time; we just didn't have a name for any of it.
Lmao yep
Hey from Dublin. Yet another super video. Learning by ear is something I’ve always struggled with. In my covers band we play each song a half step down to suit the vocals etc. That was perfect for gigging but then when I was learning new songs and listening for notes I was somewhat schewed as most songs are recorded in standard tuning. I’ve somewhat rectified that but your Vid will be a great help so thanks mate 🎸
Thanks for watching Niall and glad you're finding it helpful - that's always music to my ear!
I wish i learned this earlyer!!! Thankyou!! Helped me out of a huge rut!!
Thank you so much!
Fantastic! This is awesome thank you! Now my neighbours can be tortured by my bass playing AND my singing! Ha!
Bahaha!
That’s how I’ve been learning to play bass . I’ve been a singer my entire life . I dabble a bit on guitar but bass came a lot easier for me . I’m still learning of coarse but in under 4 months I’m playing songs already . Lol
Thanks for the help
this is so helpful ty
Very helpful lesson!
I'm dyslexic and basically can't learn to read music but I've been playing bass for years by ear
Great video. This is something to work on for sure. I know it will help me a lot. Can't wait to use the term "Calm Your Farm". Thanks Luke.
Haha! I can't claim 'calm your farm' @John Dayton, but I'm glad you found the lesson helpful!
Nice Spector!
"A rush bassline or something"
*Starts thinking of Geddy Lee*
Hi Luke did you have an ear training course starting? I saw it on Facebook but can't find it now 😕
Absolutely! The link to join is right here: becomeabassist.com/the-28-day-ear-opening-challenge
So this course is going to take me to the ear playing promise land if I persist in the course?
love it!
Nice lesson!
Cheers @legolwa!
Cool lesson :) Thanks!
Glad you like it @Anne Tee
This is incredible ‼️‼️I really needed this to become a better player
I can't sing the right note. I be screwed
I honestly thought you were about to say "if you want to start spontaneously combusting"
Woah...don’t do that!!! Haha
Even water sheep is a bassist!
So I can't just Bang the hell out of open E and do a slide up on A string time to time..oh wait..that's guns n Roses..lol
what about metal bass lines do because you don't really hear it.
This. If we don’t have isolated bass tracks or bass enhanced we’re fucked.
What if you are tone deaf. Sing or hum everything flat. ?? Can't replicate the sound ??
Good question @Ash Humber. If you're talking about medical tone deafness (amusia) there's not a lot you can do. Most people who actually have medical tone deafness don't enjoy music - it's just perceived as 'noise', so if you're into music, you probably aren't tone deaf. If you know that everything you're singing is flat, then you also aren't tone deaf because you can tell it's flat.
And if that's the case, you can consciously work towards slightly raising the pitches you're singing. There are a ton of good resources for this on RUclips - even some that specifically deal with singing flat. Have a search around and see what you can find.
@@BecomeABassist hi i think i am singing perfectly ok. Its other people that say im flat. I tried playing Happy Birthday and it worked. I can hear when its in tune or flat. I just cant replicate it humming or singing it. I will keep practicing. Thanks.
Interesting but not really useful in playing bass by ear since bass is usually much lower. And transcribing by ear in the lower register is way more difficult (at least for me).
You're absolutely right @Pat Bass - it IS harder to hear notes in the lower register. But I 100% disagree that doing the steps in this video won't be useful.
Learn to match pitch in the higher register and then slowly bring them down until the low notes jump out at you. If you don't work on matching pitch with the higher notes first, there's very little chance you'll be able to do it with the lower notes.
The bonus video is all about this exact process. You can check it out here: becomeabassist.com/play-bass-by-ear-how-to-get-started
@@BecomeABassist thanks for your reply. Your channel is one of my favorites to keep on improving on bass.
The bob ross of bass.
Aww... ❤️